The Framesofa by furniture designer Ian Archer has been awarded a prestigious Design Guild Mark Award by the Furniture Makers' Company.

The awards recognise the best of British design excellence in terms of sustainability, new thinking, quality of craftsmanship and longevity. This is the second time one of Ian’s designs has received this accolade, he previously scooped the prize in 2013 for his distinctive Raffa chair.

The Framesofa was inspired by the mid-century Scandinavian ‘frame’ styles that are such enduring design classics. Ian created his own interpretation of the look using a pale Ash wood, clean lines and gently curved corners to create a stunning contemporary shape.

Shown here upholstered in sophisticated grey Malmo fabric in Eclipse by Villa Nova the Framesofa was originally designed for Heals in dark walnut and is now available in Oak as well as the Ash wood shown here. All from http://www.archerandcompany.co.uk

Every element of this sofa shows Archer & Co’s dedication to high quality, sustainable, British craftsmanship. From the solid wood frame to the firm upholstery the entire sofa is made in the UK and is built to last.

Archer & Co is the new name for Couch Design. The company changed its name earlier this year to reflect the more diverse range of designer goods that the store now stocks, selling not only Ian’s and chairs but also Judith Archer’s fabric cushions and selected home accessories by other designers. Archer & Co sell on-line and via their showroom in Clifton, Bristol.

Archer & Co is the new name for Couch Design. The company changed its name earlier this year to reflect the more diverse range of designer goods that the store now stocks, selling not only Ian’s and chairs but also Judith Archer’s fabric cushions and selected home accessories by other designers. Archer & Co sell on-line and via their showroom in Clifton, Bristol.

We are are launching the new Stixsofa for Autumn/Winter 2015. Designed by Ian Archer and made by Sitting Firm, this new sofa celebrates the timeless appeal of bentwood.

The hand-made oak back that curves down to form the arms and feet in one continuous line is both elegant and contemporary. The hand-turned oak staves that support the back are a beautiful feature making this sofa demand to be positioned in the centre of the room where it can be appreciated from all angles.

Ian Archer says: “Ihave been working in collaboration with British makers using traditional steam bending and spindle moulding techniques and I wanted to adapt these craft methods into a design suitable for contemporary living. Inspired by Windsor chairs, I exaggerated the scale of the steam bent back and arms to give the elongated sweep of wood that holds the delicate spindles. This gives a cage-like structure which embraces the soft cushions giving it a luxurious feel."

Stix comes with plump feather wrapped seat cushions and feather and down back cushions, making it extremely comfortable, perfect for curling up in at any time of day.

Very hot! Very very hot!! And yet VERY 'cool'!

Not a lazy choice of adjectives, but rather, particularly chosen '80's vernacular, for a Milan Design Week, where retro has careered hellishly fast, from mid-century Scandi references to Italy in the 1980's.

Design icons of my formative years, from the so called 'Designer Decade', were Memphis, Mario Bellini & Ron Arad. All prominent once again in both influence and products old and new. So here it is 'post' - post modern, or 'retro post modern' or is it 're-post modern'? No matter, for the moment just know you're going to be seeing black & white stripy things with bold 'classical' colours used on geometric shapes at jaunty angles, and powder coated wire framed chairs & sofas aplenty.

The proximity of Memphis to Lee Broom's mini department store illustrates the point. His monotone grey interior & associated cast members, were enlivened by some Sotsas inspired lighting. And Ron Arads bulbous upholstery for Moroso cleverly reflected the past into an exciting future. Driade's wire framed couch, although barely holding on to its super soft cushions, looked fab in the afore mentioned colours - it will adorn many bachelor pads!

Lee Broom: Milan 2015

Lee Broom: Milan 2015

Ron Arad for Moroso

Driade's wire framed couch

The cry of 'black is back', is oft re-used & re-phrased, in the fashion glossies, but this year it's a significant trend from Milan Design Week too. A natural progression from the oceans of grey that have covered the Saloni del Mobile for what seems like a decade and pervades still in many home style magazines and stores. And of course those side kicks of black, from the 1980's, green and red & white (as in the Italian flag) were also evident across all of Milan's venues.

http://store.memphis-milano.com

http://www.leebroom.com

http://www.driade.com

http://cassina.com/en/designer/mario-bellini

http://www.blastation.com

Thank god it wasn't all like that though!

There are delicious rich, & muted, & primary colours, textures, & pattern wrapped around the most varied & imaginative shapes I can remember seeing in Milan.

Sé

Not just sensual curves of Molteni, Edra, SE and Mooi but genuinely innovative sculpted forms wrapping around seat cushions.

Combinations of jewel tones, be it glass, ceramics, plastics or fabric, feels like the sophisticated palette. Ochre, damson,olive, ink & cherry, ooze lux all over Kartell, Edra,Twils, Flexform, Molteni Mooi & Donghia, as well as the more commercial Calia, Natuzzi & Calagaris

This week we're launching a competition for the chance to win one of our beautiful teapots by French design studio Atomic Soda. Simply sign up to our newsletter at the bottom of this page to be entered into the prize draw.

Couch Design is delighted to announce we are re-launching under the new name of Archer + Co.

Our new name and exciting new look reflects the rapidly expanding and more diverse range of designer goods that we now stock alongside Ian's distinctive contemporary sofas and armchairs. I am also launching a range of fabric designs with the first collection of cushions now in-store and online.

The re-launch comes at a busy time for us as Ian has just designed the Twist sofa for Made.com and has also collaborated with new brand Arlo and Jacob.

To celebrate the re-launch we have given a spring twist to some of our most popular designs with Tango upholstered in Designers Guild Central Park fabric and Raffa in Bee Garden by Lush Designs (see pictures). In addition, the Frame Sofa, originally exclusive to Heals is now available in-store in pale Ash wood.